Zahid confirms meeting Hamzah in Bangkok to discuss ‘Malay-Muslim unity’

2026-03-06 - 09:44

A report said BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) and opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin met in Bangkok last December when Zahid was there for a series of meetings. PETALING JAYA: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed that opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin was among the politicians he met in Bangkok to discuss the issue of Malay and Muslim unity. Speaking to the media at Menara Felda in Kuala Lumpur today, the Barisan Nasional chairman said the meeting with Hamzah took place last year. “There hasn’t been any recent meetings with Hamzah; it was a long time ago,” he said, reported Berita Harian. Citing sources from several parties, Berita Harian reported that PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and PN deputy secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan also met Zahid at the time to discuss proposals to unite Malay and Islamic political parties. Samsuri is currently the PN chairman. The sources said the meeting was held in early December when the deputy prime minister was in Thailand for a series of working visits. Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin had accused Hamzah of engaging in secret negotiations with Zahid to form a new political configuration that would allow him (Hamzah) to be appointed deputy prime minister while another leader held the top post. Muhyiddin also accused Hamzah of being behind moves to destabilise and divide Bersatu, saying this was the main reason why the Larut MP was sacked from the party on Feb 13. Yesterday, Hamzah hit back at Muhyiddin over claims he betrayed the party by meeting with Zahid, saying he was free to meet anyone as the opposition leader. “Such claims of betrayal are just excuses to sack me from the party. There’s no need to drag this out. This is childish,” the former Bersatu deputy president told reporters in Selama, Perak.